LED taillights on higher trims, price and direct plug and play on LX?

[T_ride]

Hello Augie1209 !
FYI I did order LED tail lights from eBay to replace existing Halogen housings I had on my Canadian SX (same tail config as your S).
I did replace them, and one thing for sure : the housings are exact-fit replacement, even the connector is the same (not exactly same pinout, though)
One issue : hyperfash when braking at night, when the LED's are lit.
You can see later in the conversation what I did and what's next.

Thanks

Anything new with getting the taillights to work without flashing or error codes?

 

[mrad31]

Anything new with getting the taillights to work without flashing or error codes?

@PatMatt is working on buttoning things up but yes so far both of those issues have been corrected.

 

[LtFireguy]

Why you say SX-L non nappa in your description ? New model ?

It was offered last year for 2020. I didn't originally purchase a non-nappa SXL as it wasn't offered but there was a shortage in nappa leather and the wait times were getting pretty crazy so they added the SXL without nappa to the trims.

I know, sorry, off topic here.

 

[PatMatt]

@PatMatt is working on buttoning things up but yes so far both of those issues have been corrected.

Exactly !
Everything is working fine, but requires a couple of electronics to buy along with wires, tools, accessories, and of course Led tail lights and bumper reflectors ...
It requires a rear bumper removal as well, which is not that simple ! Got that part (bumper reflectors) done by a body shop.

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[T_ride]

Exactly !
Everything is working fine, but requires a couple of electronics to buy along with wires, tools, accessories, and of course Led tail lights and bumper reflectors ...
It requires a rear bumper removal as well, which is not that simple ! Got that part (bumper reflectors) done by a body shop.

So I really want to switch to led tail lights. Could you provide me the information, on everything required?

 

[PatMatt]

So I really want to switch to led tail lights. Could you provide me the information, on everything required?

Still putting up documentation about it ... it’s a long process, can’t believe I seem to be the only one who has done it
Still, the electrical diagram is the easiest part of it all, because I had great help from two folks here in the forum, as well as body shop.
See attached wiring diagram.
Will say about electrical parts needed soon ... too busy these days to get into this, but I make it an honnor to do so !
Ps not for the faint of heart ...

 

[T_ride]

Still putting up documentation about it ... it’s a long process, can’t believe I seem to be the only one who has done it
Still, the electrical diagram is the easiest part of it all, because I had great help from two folks here in the forum, as well as body shop.
See attached wiring diagram.
Will say about electrical parts needed soon ... too busy these days to get into this, but I make it an honnor to do so !
Ps not for the faint of heart ...

Thanks for info, I look forward to your final findings/info

 

[RobertM]

Did you use the Kia LED tail light assembly? I bought one and it was not plug and play.

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[PatMatt]

Hello !
Yes I bought OEM Kia LED tail lights, but believe me, it's a wonderful project, if you're handyman (like I thought I was), especially if you also replace bumper reflectors ...
I've got a plan with equipment you need to buy, but this requires to put those parts in special areas in the bumper. Requires removing of the bumper, etc ...
It's all in the PDF I posted in my post from Apr 27, up this thread.
Up to the task ?

 

[T_ride]

Hello !
Yes I bought OEM Kia LED tail lights, but believe me, it's a wonderful project, if you're handyman (like I thought I was), especially if you also replace bumper reflectors ...
I've got a plan with equipment you need to buy, but this requires to put those parts in special areas in the bumper. Requires removing of the bumper, etc ...
It's all in the PDF I posted in my post from Apr 27, up this thread.
Up to the task ?

Can you post electrical parts required?

 

[Patsfan29]

Can you post electrical parts required?

You can look up everything he used of the diagram posted up on the 4/27 post. That's how I did it

 

[Patsfan29]

You can look up everything he used of the diagram posted up on the 4/27 post. That's how I did it

I have the last still if you need any help it all. Its a tough mod, but well worth it. Here is my email
Bmharvey926@gmail.com

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[PatMatt]

Here's the parts needed (of course, all tools and accessories to run cables not in here)
(From Canadian Amazon - you can find them on the US side, since I got the original info from a US member of this forum)
First item used to "merge" turn signal and brakes
Second item used to make sure signal sent to lamps is to the proper voltage
Third item is to regulate voltage
Rest is really many tools, going along this wiring diagram ...
Attached : parts needed, and wiring diagram

 

[T_ride]

Here's the parts needed (of course, all tools and accessories to run cables not in here)
(From Canadian Amazon - you can find them on the US side, since I got the original info from a US member of this forum)
First item used to "merge" turn signal and brakes
Second item used to make sure signal sent to lamps is to the proper voltage
Third item is to regulate voltage
Rest is really many tools, going along this wiring diagram ...
Attached : parts needed, and wiring diagram

Thanks you!

 

[murphys2ndlaw]

Here's the parts needed (of course, all tools and accessories to run cables not in here)
(From Canadian Amazon - you can find them on the US side, since I got the original info from a US member of this forum)
First item used to "merge" turn signal and brakes
Second item used to make sure signal sent to lamps is to the proper voltage
Third item is to regulate voltage
Rest is really many tools, going along this wiring diagram ...
Attached : parts needed, and wiring diagram

Do you happen to have a photo of the system assembled? And also how you packaged it into the car? thanks

 

[DJJ]

It's very unlikely that the LED taillights will be directly swappable with the incandescent ones, as the wiring harness and electronics are likely completely different to account for the lower current draw of the LEDs. Additionally, the LED taillights act as both the brake light and blinker, where the incandescent ones only have brake light functionality. I suppose it's not completely impossible, but it would likely be very expensive and time consuming to complete (I'm guessing $200-$400 per tail light module alone). Alternatively, you could swap out the incandescent bulbs with good quality LEDs, which would still be an improvement over stock - brighter and much quicker response times. Just keep in mind that a load resistor or replacement LED-compatible flasher module would be necessary to prevent hyperflash, and be sure to buy red LEDs to replace the brake and turn signal bulbs, as the lenses/housing in front of them are also red. White LEDs behind a red tail light or blinker lens will produce a pinkish look rather than bright red.

The guy was not asking your opinion he wants to know as I do if it can be done but thanks anyway

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[kesarweb]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the input! Special thanks to PatMatt for putting together diagrams!

I am upgrading my 2024 LX non-LED to LEDs and the LED lights connector has 4 pins. 1 pin is positive for running lights, 1 pin is for brake/turn signal, 1 is ground, and 1 is for "Error tell tale". Does the "Error tell tale" pin expects a positive wire of 12v? What does it do?

Thanks!
Anton

 

[kesarweb]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the input! Special thanks to PatMatt for putting together diagrams!

I am upgrading my 2024 LX non-LED to LEDs and the LED lights connector has 4 pins. 1 pin is positive for running lights, 1 pin is for brake/turn signal, 1 is ground, and 1 is for "Error tell tale". Does the "Error tell tale" pin expects a positive wire of 12v? What does it do?

Thanks!
Anton

There are 2 grounds.

 

[Cleantelly]

Hi all,

Thanks for all the input! Special thanks to PatMatt for putting together diagrams!

I am upgrading my 2024 LX non-LED to LEDs and the LED lights connector has 4 pins. 1 pin is positive for running lights, 1 pin is for brake/turn signal, 1 is ground, and 1 is for "Error tell tale". Does the "Error tell tale" pin expects a positive wire of 12v? What does it do?

Thanks!
Anton

Waiting on this too. I have a 2023 S Model (Refreshed) and the Non LED tail lights have the combined brake lights and turn signal lights. Im assume getting LED tail lights would function a bit better since it has both brake/turn combined. Hyperflashing and error codes might be an issue though. Only way to find out is to order them and try them out. Im wondering if a RELAY for the turn signals would fix the hyperflashing. IF they even have one like older cars. The LED tail lights i am looking at are listed as 2020-2021 LED Tail Lights. Theres only one way to find out!

 

[kesarweb]

Waiting on this too. I have a 2023 S Model (Refreshed) and the Non LED tail lights have the combined brake lights and turn signal lights. Im assume getting LED tail lights would function a bit better since it has both brake/turn combined. Hyperflashing and error codes might be an issue though. Only way to find out is to order them and try them out. Im wondering if a RELAY for the turn signals would fix the hyperflashing. IF they even have one like older cars. The LED tail lights i am looking at are listed as 2020-2021 LED Tail Lights. Theres only one way to find out!

"Error tell tale" turned out to be a ground, so there are simply 2 ground pins. My 2024 LX wiring fits the 2020-2022 LED lights just fine. The light works, but hyper flashes. I will be following the guide from this thread and update once I have any kind of results.